Steuben County Commissioners fire all local aviation board members

Commissioner Lynne Liechty, who has been attending airport board meetings, said divisions between locally based pilots and the airport’s operator, John Kline of Falcon Aviation, had to end, and that would start by removing the board.

“There is a long-standing discontent between the aircraft owners and the fixed base operator,” Liechty said, before making a motion to remove the existing board, which had sat at four members following the Sept. 8 resignation of member Elten Powers.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jim Crowl and received a 3-0 approval.

“This has been going on much too long,” Crowl said.

Removed from the board were Dr. R. Wyatt Weaver, president; Walt Drewes, vice president; and Mike Van Westen and Dr. Larry Watkins.

Kline will remain fixed-base operator, as he is under contract. However, there were hints at the conclusion of discussion of the topic at Monday’s meeting that he has not been upholding at least part of his contract, which is to supply quarterly financial reports to the commissioners.

Drewes and Kline said making this decision comes at a difficult time, with many projects in the works in conjunction with Federal Aviation Administration “What about the ongoing projects? How are they going to be handled,” Drewes asked. “We don’t want to delay these projects that are involved with the FAA.”

“I really don’t see it as a large hurdle,” Liechty said.

“I think you’re making a big mistake,” Drewes said.

Drewes said he thought it would be difficult for Walker and Strebig to come in fresh and take over projects that have been six or seven years in the planning.

“My question is the propriety of doing it this way. That means this commission board is usurping the authority of the airport,” Commission President Ron Smith said.

Smith went on to say that the aviation board has had years to correct problems at the airport – particularly battles between pilots and Kline – but has not, leaving the commissioners no choice but to take drastic action.

Walker and Strebig are pilots who both have aircraft based at Tri-State Steuben County Municipal Airport. Also, the new $1.6 million terminal/hangar building at the airport was built by Strebig’s company, Strebig Construction, Fort Wayne.

Over the past few years, a group of pilots has complained about relations with Kline. There have also been complaints about access to the terminal in off hours and other management issues.

At least one business owner, John Galloway, has offered to take the FBO contract and pay the county, whereas Kline receives money from the county to run the airport.